Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs. Nokia Lumia 1520: Bigger, better, faster

27 December 2013
We venture again into the realm of phablets, one that at the beginning seemed to promise little more than a short burst of action, has become the scene of some of the most thrilling battles this industry has seen. The showdown we’re about to witness...

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  • S
  • Skwish
  • M5L
  • 31 Dec 2013

I prefer windows phone but out of these two devices Note 3 is the better one. Microsoft is really slow; they could have done so much more, some phablet features for example.

    • E
    • Eriz
    • TSQ
    • 31 Dec 2013

    in malaysia, the 1520 is cheaper than note 3

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • uvv
      • 31 Dec 2013

      AnonD-14171, 31 Dec 2013 S-Pen stylus input and good software backing Reply... moreWindows -empty box.
      Android-powerful and freedom.

        • t
        • test
        • Mr4
        • 31 Dec 2013

        which phone is sherlock holmes?

          • D
          • AnonD-201148
          • XN{
          • 31 Dec 2013

          Anonymous, 31 Dec 2013The 4K video recording is not useful because it takes a lot... more20 mp is not useful bcoz it takes a lot of storage..

            • Q
            • Quicky
            • uSN
            • 31 Dec 2013

            Hands Down! I love both phones!! HaHaHa

              • J
              • Jack
              • y$g
              • 31 Dec 2013

              I am business orientated so it would have to be the Nokia as some of the Note III stuff is not relevant to me. However, given all the recent articles about Android security, and issues also with Samsung, and now today's report in the Sydney Morning Herald on iPhone problems, there is only Blackberry in the market as the the only mobile of choice if you want to try and protect your privacy and security of data. I appreciate the Note III advancements, but lot of which is really superfluous, and also the effort by Nokia, but we all went and bought the Blackberry Z30, which in itself is an excellent device without the rubbish. Expensive yes, but what choice do we have when the other devices are not secure. It is a very serious problem, but one that is rarely mentioned given paranoia with specs and apps.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • gyf
                • 31 Dec 2013

                The 4K video recording is not useful because it takes a lot of storage.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • sgy
                  • 31 Dec 2013

                  And you forgot the Note 3 has the best screen available on any phone period. King of 2013, Note 3. I would despair if i had to use the nokia.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • sgy
                    • 31 Dec 2013

                    buying another what pen? it ain't no wacom pen, just another phone. might as well use your fingers.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-14171
                      • 0kI
                      • 31 Dec 2013

                      S-Pen stylus input and good software backing
                      Reply: Good advantage that can be cancelled by buying another pen

                      Notably Cheaper
                      Reply: Also with lower quality build of plastic and when subsided can be the same price.

                      More compact - 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm vs 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7 mm
                      Reply: An advantage over the lumia that can not be offset and can be a point for some people


                      Lighter - 168 g vs 209 g
                      Reply: Please guys we are talking about 30 grams...who is the weak person


                      More RAM - 3 GB vs 2 GB
                      Reply: A disadvantage for Note since Android needs memory while windows phone is much better in memory management


                      64 GB of built-in storage version
                      Reply: here we go the price advantage is lost while also you can add storage to the Lumia and Note


                      Slightly higher-clocked chipset - 2.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz
                      Reply: really nothing to mention here...

                      4K (2160p) video recording over 1080@30fps
                      Reply: Good Unused feature of Note 3

                      2 MP 1080p front-facing camera vs 1.2 MP 720p one
                      Reply: Somebody tells me where is the difference in this


                      Temperature and humidity sensors
                      Reply: Ok

                      IR port for remote control functionality
                      Reply: Ok

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • gyf
                        • 31 Dec 2013

                        Anonymous, 31 Dec 2013i used android for 2 years, and tried wp8 this year, i was ... moreSo try iOS.It has simplicity and it has more games and apps and features than Windows Phone.

                          • G
                          • Gibby
                          • Y1h
                          • 31 Dec 2013

                          You know what - I've got a horrible feeling GSMarena is being hijacked by 'big blue' associates.
                          (I've already witnessed a fair bit of dirty tactics from them.)
                          I'll keep reading the great reviews but as for their phone voter competitions & comments sections - sadly I think it may be game over :'(
                          Farewell free thinking people :S

                            • G
                            • Gull
                            • 6Q3
                            • 31 Dec 2013

                            thought Lumia will crush Note 3 in camera department at least.
                            But it was pretty much a tie...
                            good work samsung.
                            Hope Nokia/MS will strike harder next year :)

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • w0P
                              • 31 Dec 2013

                              [deleted post]i used android for 2 years, and tried wp8 this year, i was bored at the UI at first, but nowci love it, and will not switch back to android again, simplicity > complicated OS, all of my android phone before gets slower when its older, while my wp8 is still as fast as new in its 11 months of hard usage

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • gyf
                                • 31 Dec 2013

                                Wooooooooow.Note 3 rulesssssssssssssss.

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-219855
                                  • ID7
                                  • 31 Dec 2013

                                  GSM arena should make videos of comparisons to give viewers a visual comparison of devices. Lumia 1520 is the best in my opinion hardware and software wise I prefer Windows Phone over Android.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 4QS
                                    • 31 Dec 2013

                                    [deleted post]Why do we need all this jealous hatred and trolling???
                                    Looks are preference. You saying it's that bad is no better than others flocking around to say the same crap.
                                    UI is preference also. And aside from some IOS 7 updates I'd take wp. IOS finally has options, but with WP has options. Different phones, sizes, brands, sd slots, removable batteries, Amoled, better cameras, Nokia, and not a rip of copy cat stolen scam.


                                      • i
                                      • i use a wp8
                                      • vQ{
                                      • 31 Dec 2013

                                      Anonymous, 30 Dec 2013There are an easy choice. If look for a power house and nee... moreThere is an app for recording calls. Just fyi :)

                                        [deleted post]Bro, such Hatred! As a galaxy S3 user even right at this moment, I'm actually OK with WP8+Nokia lumia.
                                        (I guess, after all it's still a personal choice, I like the camera more so I choose Nokia over Samsung.)